High School Sports

That’s how Montrelle Irvin is describing how he feels for the upcoming season, and for good reason. Irvin, entering his eighth season as Marion County’s head coach, returns several key players from last year’s squad and he also gains a few additional pieces that could prove very beneficial for the Knights.

The Knights will dress 11 players on the varsity squad, but Irvin said more could be called up based on their play.

The Marion County High School softball team is hosting its first ever softball workshop on Dec. 1 from 9 a.m. to noon at the indoor facility at Graham Memorial Park. Cost is $50 and $75 total for additional siblings. Forms can be picked up and returned to Head Coach Erin Benton at Marion County High School. Make checks payable to the MCHS Softball Boosters. Contact Benton at erin.benton@marion.kyschools.us with any questions.

“I did a lot of things last year to find out what we would be best at,” Marion County’s second-year head coach said. “This year is different. I pretty much know what I want right off the bat. I know my team better and they know me better. We had ups and downs like any season is going to have.”

Now, with a full season and offseason under their belts, Wood and the Lady Knights have high hopes for a successful 2018 campaign.

Four consecutive losing seasons have left football players and community members frustrated with the direction Marion County High School’s football is heading in, and that frustration has many calling for a shakeup in the coaching staff.

Low scoring, running clocks and blowouts have dominated Marion County football for the past four seasons. Marion County has gone 4-36, been outscored 1,586-542, shutout five times and allowed 30 or more points in 32 of the past 40 games.

On Senior Night - their final game for Marion County - the seniors stole the show, making big plays to propel the Knights to a 36-0 victory over the Nelson County Cardinals on Friday on John J. Boswell Field.

A festive mood pre-game where Marion County’s nine seniors were honored gave way to the most complete performance Marion County has put on in quite some time. The victory gave Marion County its first shutout since Aug. 30, 2014, when the Knights (2-8, 0-4) beat Green County 33-0.

The first-ever Marion County High School Alumni Basketball Game was held Saturday evening at the Roby Dome, attracting a crowd of approximately 250 people to watch former local basketball greats take the court one more time.

Recent Marion County alumni and those who have been gone for years - like Kathy Isaacs - returned on Saturday to once again play in the historic Roby Dome.

The Marion County High School girls basketball team is hosting a dodgeball tournament on Oct. 27 at the Roby Dome. The games will start at 2 p.m. Cost is $30 for a team or $5 per player. Teams will consist of six players plus two alternates. Only 16 teams will be accepted. For more information, contact Coach Kelly Wood at 502-510-3800 or at Kelly.wood@marion.kyschools.us. The event is a fundraiser for the team.

Four soccer players for the Marion County High School girls soccer team received All-Region honors. Libby Palagi was named to the first team All-Region. Katie Beth Brady, Madison Hardin and Taylor Richardson were named to the second team All-Region.

Taylor County didn’t throw the ball much. They didn’t need to. Their ground game churned out yard after yard and score after score.

The Cardinals piled up 344 yards rushing and scored all nine of their touchdowns on the ground as they defeated Marion County 62-6 on Friday in Lebanon. The loss gave the Knights (1-8, 0-4) their fourth straight season without a district win. Marion County’s last district win came against Mercer County on Oct. 10, 2014 in a 20-19 thriller.